A Cross River State High Court has sentenced pastor Ubong Etim to death by hanging for murdering his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, after falsely accusing her of witchcraft.
Pastor Sentenced to Death for Killing Daughter Over Witchcraft Claim
A Cross River State High Court has sentenced pastor Ubong Etim to death by hanging for murdering his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, who had Down syndrome and was falsely branded a witch, Premium Times reports.
Justice Blessing Egwu convicted Etim after ruling the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, lawyer James Ibor said. The killing occurred in February 2025 and sparked outrage among child rights advocates. The Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, which supported the prosecution, hailed the verdict as a landmark victory against witchcraft branding, calling it justice for Deborah and a milestone in protecting children’s rights. The group commended police, prosecutors and the judiciary for the conviction, noting such cases rarely reach successful prosecution in Cross River State.
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